West Ridge Property Owners Request Amendment To Open Space Boundaries

The Park City Planning Commission meets Wednesday, in part, to consider a lot amendment in the West Ridge subdivision because construction has encroached on protected open space. City staff recommend denying the request to allow the decks and hot tub—and a denial could force the property owner to take them out. KPCW’s Emily Means has more.

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When the Park Meadows master plan was approved in 1991, Park City Planning Director Bruce Erickson says the planning commission made sure to map out open-space designations in the neighborhood, protecting the spaces by restricting building size and location. Recently, though, Erickson says the property owners of Lot 38 developed beyond the boundaries into the designated open space and are now requesting an amendment to accommodate their new additions.

“In this particular case, during the construction of the building, the area of open space was built on, with plazas, decks, a hot tub and some walls—so we started some enforcement action on that," Erickson said. "In order to cure this, the applicant is asking to modify the open space line, in order to accommodate what they’re asking for.”

Erickson says the City approved the original application for development, but not the additions. City staff’s recommendation is to deny the request because it doesn’t seem to be consistent with the vision and goals for the area.

“The original master plan asked for this stuff to be open space and wildlife habitat, and second, it’s not consistent with the value system and the general plan to reduce the intrusion of the built environment into the natural environment," Erickson said. "And so part of the good cause for this subdivision, when it was approved, was that this was all going to be open space. The applicant has a different opinion, which is great—we’re going to let the planning commission sort it out—but currently we’re in discussions with them.”

The Planning Commission will forward its recommendation to the City Council for consideration. Interested members of the public can attend the meeting Wednesday, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Marsac Building.